3.

Specification

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Definitions

 A specification is a specific description

of a particular subject.
 In terms of an engineering project a
specification contains a detailed written
description of the quality of materials
and workmanship necessary to
complete the work. 2
Definitions (cont…)
 In the construction activity therefore, the scope of the work
that is described in drawings includes such information as
dimensions, form, or details while the specifications provide
the description of the qualities of materials for construction.
 Information that is best transmitted in written form is
addressed in the specification while that which is best
transmitted graphically will be addressed in drawings where
both are so defined as to be mutually complementary and
understood in conjunction.

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Definitions (cont…)

 In other words drawings show what is to be done in

graphics form, specifications show how it is to be done by
furnishing written descriptions to supplement the drawings
 Generally, specifications are written instructions which
supplement the drawing to set forth the complete technical
requirements of the work
 Therefore drawings and specifications in combination define
the project in sufficient detail to enable the carrying out of
the works.

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Purpose of Specifications

 The purpose of a Civil Engineering Specification

is to tell the contractor precisely the,
 Extent of the work to be executed

 Methods he may or may not use in order

to carry out the works

 Quality and type of materials

 Workmanship that will prove acceptable.

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Purpose of Specifications (cont…)

 Specifications together with the contract

drawings are the primary method by which the
requirements of the design are transmitted to
others.
 It serves as a guideline for the actual
construction as well as for the checking of
compliance.

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Types of Specifications

Generally the following major specification

categories are common.
1. Materials and workmanship specifications:

2. Performance specifications

3. Standard specifications and

4. Master specifications

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Types of specifications (cont…)

1. Materials and workmanship specifications:

This form of specification includes,
 The description of the scope of the works,
 The general and specific requirements that are
necessary for the execution of the work,
 Material requirements,
 Construction details, and
 Method of measurement and payments for completed
works.

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Types of specifications (cont…)

A. Material specifications:

 For some items may focus on the physical and or

chemical properties that can also be cross checked by
tests.
 For others the performance characteristics may be
the governing factors.

 In some cases, a composition of the two types may

be also applicable.

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Types of specifications (cont…)

 In preparing material specifications the

following need to be considered:
 Physical properties, such as strength,
durability, hardness, and elasticity
 Chemical composition

 Electrical and thermal and acoustical properties

 Appearance including color texture pattern and

finishes

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 Types of specifications (cont…)

B. Workmanship specifications
 This type of specification indicate the desired
results that need to be achieved in the works so
that the contractor has the option of selecting
the construction methods, to achieve the stated
results.

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Types of specifications (cont…)

 In general such specifications

 Specify the desired results as to the quality
of workmanship
 State any detailed construction methods or
procedures necessary for the
accomplishment of particular purposes.

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Types of specifications (cont…)

 Stipulate any desired limitations or restrictions

to be placed on the contractor's methods in
the interest of coordination of the work.
 Give any precautions necessary for the
protection of the work or adjacent property.
 Specify the methods of inspection and tests to
which the work is to be subjected

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Types of specifications (cont…)

 Performance specifications,
 Such types of specification, define the
performance requirements for machinery and
plant operating equipment.

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Types of specifications (cont…)

 Standard reference specifications'-

 These are published reference standards
published by government and professional
societies, and industry associations for utilization
in construction work or material production.
 Some types of works such as earth work;
brickwork etc may be common in many types of
projects.

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Types of specifications (cont…)

 Hence the use of standard specifications that are

applicable to different types of works and that may
be used as guides are commonly utilized in place of
preparing new and lengthy specifications.

 Master specifications
 some agencies prepare their own master
specifications to be adapted for each required
works, by deleting certain sections.
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Specification Writing

 When planning to write specifications one should

start first of all with an overall analysis of the
work to be done, and the requirements
necessary to achieve the required level of quality,
conditions under which it must be done, materials
required, and the details of the construction.
 Hence preparing an outline of the details of the work
is the first step in writing a good specification.

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Specification Writing (cont…)

 These outlines of the work to be done will normally

differ depending on the type of work to be carried out.
 For instance the specification for water works will
differ from that for building or road works.

 One alternative approach in writing specifications is to

use previously written specifications with careful
adaptation to the issue at hand, but that must be
done with care to exclude unnecessary descriptions.

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Specification Writing (Cont…)
 In general a specification should address issues such as;
 Defining the extent of the works

 The methods to be utilized.

 The workmanship and finish, anticipated with

consideration given to practical limitations
 Requirements and procedures to be complied with in
inspection, tests and analysis, during manufacture and
usage by the owner both on site and off site.

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Specification Writing (Cont…)

Objectives of specification writing

 The objective of good specification writing is to transmit the
requirement of the work in a clear and unambiguous manner.
 Therefore in the process of writing specifications one must
focus on the following key elements to have a good
specification
 Clarity, Simplicity, Precision/completeness

 Quantification, Use of tolerances

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Specification Writing (Cont…)

 To define the standards that must be achieved in

a work, a specification needs to be written in a
clear language
Examples,
 A light bulb with a minimum lifetime of 10,000
hrs

 An incandescent light bulb with a minimum

lifetime of 10,000 hrs or equivalent or of
higher quality
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Planning specifications

 As a guide line for carrying out construction

activities and a means of ensuring compliance
with requirements, specifications need to be
planned in a logical and easy to follow manner.
 This would facilitate the execution and
monitoring of the works.

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Planning specifications (cont…)

 In order to make referencing simple and easy

to follow, well planned specifications follow the
sequence of the execution of the works.
 The requirements that must be addressed in
each section of the works are then grouped
into sub sections

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Planning specifications (cont…)

 For instance the works in a construction

activity may be arranged according to the
sequence of their execution say
 Site Clearing,

 Earth Works.

 Concrete Works etc.

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Planning specifications (cont…)

 Each of the above sections in turn is divided into

subsections that describe the issues that need to
be addressed for instance items that must be
considered when writing the specification for
different works may contains the following.

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Planning specifications (cont…)

 General. Requirements
 Description and Scope of works
 Related documents
 Summary of the specific works
 References and standards etc

 Specific Requirements,
 Any requirements to be adhered to in the specific
work area

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Planning specifications (cont…)

 Types and Quality of Materials that must be

used;
 Description of materials.

 Standards

 Testing

 Workmanship, Technical procedure of carrying out

works, (ex concrete, mixing and placing etc)

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Planning specifications (cont…)

 Level and Quality of Workmanship,

 Method of Measurement of Completed Work

 Units to be used in the measurement of the works

 Method of Payment
 Method of payments, unit rates etc.

 These sub divisions are in fact applicable and form a

general guideline to all forms of construction
activities.
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Planning specifications (cont…)

In general therefore planning

specifications follows the sequence of
the works, further divided into specific
requirements described above.

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Thank you!

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